Residents will vote on marijuana retail opt-out

April 13, 2017 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com



EAST LONGMEADOW – The Town Council approved unanimously a motion to put a referendum question on the ballot that would allow East Longmeadow to opt out of allowing retail sales of recreational marijuana at it meeting on April 11.

Dr. Sarah Perez McAdoo, chair of the Board of Health, explained what concerns the board in particular was the sale of “edibles,” candy and other confections that contain marijuana.

The Board of Health is hosting a community forum about the ban of retail marijuana in town on April 27, at 6:30 p.m. at Birchland Park Middle School.

In a packet given to members of the council, there were photos of edibles from other areas in which Gummi Bears laced with marijuana were sold along with items that take advantage of brand recognition of famous candy bars, such as “Buddahfinger,” “Munchy Way” and “KifKat.”

Councilors also received a printed presentation that noted, “marijuana-infused edibles are the fastest growing segment of the market and present particularly challenging issues for pubic health and safety.”

Perez McAdoo noted on the statewide ballot question legalizing marijuana in the Commonwealth, 52 percent of East Longmeadow voters opposed it. She emphasized the referendum on retail sales would not affect the use of marijuana nor would it prevent the allowed number of plants people can cultivate on their own.

Councilors also received their first look at the fiscal year 2018 budget proposed by Town Manager Denise Menard. This is the first budget under the new form of town government, she noted.

In the introduction of the proposed budget, she wrote, “Since this is the first year for the newly changed form of government, a number of departments fall into different categories than they have in previous years. As examples, the office of the Board of Selectmen had the Town Administrator, three clerical support staff and also assisted the Board of Health.

The departments are now, the Town Manager, the Health Department and the Human Resources department, each with different staffing. The Treasurer/Collector/Clerk is now separated into two different departments and Planning, Zoning & Conservation now includes the Building Department. All those shifts in categories within the operating make for very skewed percentages.”

The proposed budget list $57.2 million as general fund uses an increase of $2 milion or 3.62 percent over last year. The anticipation of general fund sources of revenues is $58.3 million, or a $1.97 million or 3.49 percent increase.

Among the capital projects suggested in the budget are six emergency kits, replacement of 30 weapons and nine rifle suppressors as well as three new cruisers for the Police Department; a new ladder truck, replacing the current one purchased in 1988 for the Fire department; a new dump truck for the Department of Public Works; and traffic and pedestrian control equipment for the intersection of North Main Street and Harkness Avenue.

Menard has proposed a standardization of stipends for people serving in elected positions in town to be $1,500 for a chair and $1,000 for a member. She also suggested the Library Board receives stipends for the first time.

She has suggested a budget workshop to go over the budget in detail and will supply the councilors with any level of detail they need to examine the proposed plan.

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